Browser Hijacks

What are browser hijackers?

Browser hijackers are a type of malicious software that alters a web browser's settings without the user's consent. Their primary goal is to manipulate the browser's behavior to generate revenue for the attackers. This can involve redirecting the user's homepage, changing the default search engine, injecting unwanted ads, or collecting user data.

Known Browser Hijackers

• Ask Toolbar
• GoSave
• Coupon Server
• CoolWebSearch
• RocketTab
• Babylon Toolbar
• Conduit Search or Search Protect
• Marquis
• Search-Location
• SourceForge Installer
• OneWebSearch
• Snap.do
• Sweet Page

Note: This list may not cover all browser hijackers, and there could be additional ones not mentioned here.

What should I do next?

Clear temporary files

Safari

1. Open Safari.
2. Click on Safari in the top menu bar.
3. Select Clear History.
4. Choose All History.
5. Click Clear History.

Chrome

1. Open Chrome.
2. Click on ⋮ in the top-right corner.
3. Click History.
4. Click Clear browsing data.
5. Select Browsing history and Cookies and other site data.
6. Click Clear data.

Firefox

1. Open Firefox.
2. Click on ☰ in the top-right corner.
3. Click Library then History.
4. Click Clear recent history.
5. Choose Browsing & download history and Cookies and other site data and Cookies.
6. Click Clear now.

Check for malicious extension

Safari

1. Open Safari.
2. Click on Safari in the top menu bar.
3. Click Preferences.
4. Go to Extensions tab.
5. Check for unwanted extensions and remove it.

Chrome

1. Open Chrome.
2. Type chrome://extensions/ in the address bar.
3. Check for unwanted extensions and remove it.

Firefox

1. Open Firefox.
2. Click on ☰ in the top-right corner.
3. Select Add-ons.
4. Go to Extensions tab.
5. Check for unwanted extensions and remove it.

Reset browser settings

Safari

1. Open Safari.
2. Click on Safari in the top menu bar.
3. Click Reset Safari.
4. Check the options you want to reset.
5. Click Reset.

Chrome

1. Open Chrome.
2. Type chrome://settings/resetProfileSettings in the address bar.
3. Click Reset settings.

Firefox

1. Open Firefox.
2. Click on ☰ in the top-right corner.
3. Click Help.
4. Click Troubleshooting information.
5. Click Refresh Firefox.